Daniel Sturridge apologises for tantrum, Juan Mata eases into Old Trafford, Arsenal could slip to third

WE saw the best and worst of Daniel Sturridge against Everton, while Juan Mata's fresh start has changed the Old Trafford vibe.

THERE'S nothing quite like a dose of midweek Premier League action.

Here's what you missed if you couldn't catch the action this morning.

BIGGEST WIN SINCE 1982

THEY were calling this the biggest Merseyside derby since 1986. Instead, we got the biggest margin of victory since 1982 as Liverpool continued its Anfield dominance over Everton, stretching back to 1999.

Liverpool's breathtaking first-half set up the emphatic 4-0 win over its city rivals Everton, with big names starring on the big stage to put Brendan Rodgers's side four points clear of Roberto Martinez's outfit. News_Image_File: Daniel Sturridge was electric for Liverpool.

News_Rich_Media: Liverpool have taken the bragging rights in the latest Merseyside derby, demolishing Everton 4-0.

"All wins are important, especially against your rivals," Rodgers said.

"Psychologically it was a big win and one that gives confidence and belief to the squad. We just have to put the foot to the floor for the rest of the season.

"I think we've shown all season we are going to be in contention. We've shown a wonderful team spirit and we've had players missing, but we've set the team up so we're not reliant on one player.

"It's my first win in a derby, but I am happier for the players and the supporters. I'll be more delighted in May if we're in the top four."

Liverpool's balance was excellent, particularly in the first-half. Steven Gerrard let Philippe Coutinho pull the strings, but the biggest difference between the two sides was the home unit's staggering efficiency in transition. It was ruthless, and breathtaking to watch - and it was the first signs of vulnerability from an Everton backline this term.

News_Rich_Media: Daniel Sturridge talks to Fox Sports' Daniel Garb about his derby heroics in Liverpool's 4-0 thrashing of local rivals Everton.

Romelu Lukaku's first-half injury exposed a lack of options up front for Martinez.

"It's in a cast. It doesn't look too good," Martinez said of the Belgian's ankle ligament injury.

Missing Sylvain Distin and Seamus Coleman as well, with Steven Pienaar, Antolin Alcaraz and Ross Barkley underdone, exposed the gulf between the club's resources.

Coins were thrown at Suarez by the away fans. "Rather than throw money at Suarez, Everton's supporters might have been better served donating it to their club," quipped Daily Mail scribe Matt Lawton.

S.A.S.UMMING ALONG - BUT NOT WITHOUT HICCUPS

Liverpool might have been 4-0 up but Luis Suarez was ropeable when Daniel Sturridge went for glory, looking for his hat-trick, rather than passing the ball across goal.

The duo squabbled, Rodgers hauled Sturridge off, and he had a little tantrum before apologising for it all.

"I want to apologise for my reaction," he said straight after the match on BT Sport. "It was just disappointment after missing the penalty, but I let myself down and the fans. I apologise if it caused anyone any offence".

Rodgers said: "Daniel's two finishes were sublime. He was a threat throughout the game and looks one every time he plays.

"We had to cut the risk of Everton scoring, so we brought him off. I felt the change balanced the team back up and there was no problem with Daniel. It was a brilliant performance from him.

"I think he was a little frustrated after the penalty and he apologised afterwards. If the manager decides to take you off, it's not because you are playing poorly. Sometimes it's tactical."

News_Image_File: We saw all the faces of Daniel Sturridge on Wednesday (EDT).

STEVIE G'S FAULT

Amongst all this, Sturridge missed a penalty. Bizarre, when you're in such a frame of mind.

Gerrard revealed after the match: "I told him to take the penalty, so I have to hold my hands up and take the blame for that.

"I wanted him to experience what it feels like to score a hat-trick against Everton at Anfield. I've experienced it, and I wanted him to. It's a shame he missed it but he'll just have to go and score against West Brom now."

Meanwhile, the real point is that Suarez has already equalled his 23-goal haul from last season, while Sturridge has notched his 16th.

Steven Gerrard said: "We've got two world-class forwards, in Daniel and Luis Suarez, and with them we have always got a chance. The aim all season has always been top four and we are very much in that now.

"Daniel was disappointed but he was absolutely world class and he destroyed Everton in the first half. The third goal killed Everton and knocked the stuffing out of them".

News_Image_File: Manchester United's Juan Mata has settled into life in red.

THURSDAY EPL SCHEDULE ON FOX SPORTS

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - 6.35am (EDT), FS 1HD

Chelsea v West Ham United - 6.35am (EDT), FS 1HD

Sunderland v Stoke City - 6.35am (EDT), Viewer's Choice

Aston Villa v West Bromwich Albion - 6.35am (EDT), Viewer's Choice

OH OH. WHAT'S JOSE DONE?

News_Rich_Media: Juan Mata has begun his Manchester United career with a win, the Red Devils proving too good for Cardiff City at Old Trafford

Juan Mata back in a No.10 slot for the first time since New Year's Day. Robin van Persie fit. Wayne Rooney and Adnan Januzaj ready on the bench. Even Ashley Young is scoring crackers.

"To have Robin on the pitch after his injury, Mata on his debut and Rooney on the bench, I think everybody could see that things look much better already now than it had been over the past few weeks," enthused David Moyes.

Beating Cardiff 2-0 might not be a great yardstick - but United has slumped to unpredictable depths at times this year and the vibe looked a whole lot better this morning.

"We'll get used to Juan and he'll get used to us," he added. "It was good to get him and Robin together and we'll use Juan in different positions.

"I can play him in any role -- off the left or the right allows me to keep Robin and Wayne as a partnership, and he's also capable of playing 10 as well.

"I hope we'll play better, that would be the first thing, and we hope to create more chances and play better at Old Trafford, where we haven't been able to take our opportunities.

"Juan did really well and created some good openings for us. He's not played much for the last month and Wayne only started football training on Monday.

"The results with them will get much better and we need to get them in the right physical condition. They're in need of match practice and fitness and they'll need to get that in the game situation."

Mata will notch an assist for his role in Young's goal. With 27 from 82 Premier League games from his Chelsea days, only Eric Cantona and Cesc Fabregas have better creativity rates, according to Sky Sports.

News_Rich_Media: Arsenal has been held to a 2-2 draw by Southampton at St Mary's Park, leaving the door open to Manchester City and Chelsea to leap frog them into first place.

COSTLY SLIP UP

In truth, the way Mauricio Pochettino's men buzzed around St Mary's, they'll be the team bemoaning two points dropped, even though Arsene Wenger's side shot to the lead with a stunning burst just after half-time.

It was a leg weary display from Arsenal against a home side that showed glimpses of the form that helped them to a wonderful start to the season.

"I wouldn't say it waa a very bad performance," Arsene Wenger said. "It was a very good football game. Southampton deserve credit.

"I don't complain about the quality of our game. We went down to 10 men and we at least went home with a point.

"You want three points in every game. But Southampton is a difficult place to come to and when you look overall it can happen you can get only one point away from home.''

Pochettino said:

"I thought the team was outstanding. I thought we played sensational football.

"The second half we didn't start too well, conceded two goals, but we showed great character to get back level so quickly."

Adding to Wenger's injury woes is a suspension for Mathieu Flamini two-footed lunge.

"Look we have to see it again, to me it looked harsh. He got the ball," Wenger said.

"At some stage we all have all the feet off the ground. If you say every time a guy makes two-footed tackle its red, he deserved a red.

"If you say it was a violent tackle, I would say no. I don't know, the referee made the decision and we have to cope with it."

The result means if Manchester City beat Tottenham on Wednesday and Chelsea secure a two-goal margin of victory over West Ham on the same day, Arsenal will be third.

News_Image_File: Norwich City's Bradley Johnson, right, and Newcastle United's Loic Remy are separated.

FORGET CABAYE - HOW DID NEWCASTLE NOT SCORE!

News_Rich_Media: Norwich were held to a draw by Newcastle at Carrow Road in a fiery clash that saw a player from each team red carded.

Paris Saint Germain target Yohan Cabaye wasn't in action but Newcastle still enjoyed enough chances in this match to put Norwich away.

Instead, there were more red cards than goals, ending with Loic Remy and Bradley Johnson being marched for a push and shove.

"There is a bit of pushing and shoving the players have come together, there is probably just enough for the referee to send them off, but Johnson's reaction to the heads meeting, in terms that he got a headbutt when he did not, was the catalyst for them both to get sent off," said Newcastle boss Alan Pardew.

"It was his own fault, if he had not have done that then maybe the referee would have taken a more lenient view, but he made such a drama out of it, he should be ashamed of himself really.

"We won't appeal, because I think there was enough for Chris there, but once he done that stupid reaction, the crowd went all mad and he (referee) has got no choice really."

News_Rich_Media: Swansea have defeated Fulham 2-0 at the Liberty Stadium, with a fantastic goal from Jonjo Shelvey.

Pardew added: "That was the thing the game will be remembered for, when it should not have been because we had some outstanding performances, and I cannot understand how we have not won the game."

Norwich's Chris Hughton saw it completely differently.

He said: "Johnson's sending off was incredibly soft.

"I presumed something else had happened apart from what I did see, which was him push Remy in the chest - over aggressively? Not really.

News_Rich_Media: Crystal Palace have moved up to 14th in the Premier League after defeating Hull City 1-0 at Selhurst Park.

"Bradley has not gone down on the floor. All he has done is pull his head away.

"Regards the amount of contact, I don't know, but certainly Bradley Johnson is not the type of player who would look to get someone sent off.

"My gut feeling is we will appeal, but you always have to look at it again and make the right decisions."

HOLD ON A SECOND

There's been plenty of wraps for Hull's performances this year, but all of a sudden, Crystal Palace is level with Steve Bruce's side on 23 points, five clear of relegation.

Swansea's much-needed win moves them to 24 points but Fulham is in a horror position on 19 points after slumping 2-0 to Michael Laudrup's side.